This time of year, as summer eases into fall, the days become shorter, and the mornings and evenings are much cooler. We still experience the heat of summer at midday, but the change in nature is unmistakable. The earth element, which is the most active energy at this time of year governs the stomach and spleen meridians.

The earth element governs digestion, not just of food but also our thoughts and reasoning on the mental emotional level. If we have an imbalance in our earth element, we can experience digestive problems at this time. Stress and worry can also negatively affect digestion. The amount of uncertainty in the world right now emphasizes our need to be rooted, harmonious and stabilized whether in family, community, or work environment.

We live in a sea of energy and are affected by the energy around us and what we listen to. Stressful thoughts and feelings can throw us off balance and influence our decision making. The best way to center ourselves is through breathing and meditation. It is always best to act from a calm center.

To promote inner calm and harmony avoid absorbing too much negative information. Spend time meditating, walking in nature, listening to positive and inspirational information and music.

It is also important to eat foods that are in season, especially yellow squashes and foods with an orange color. These are the colors associated with the earth element.

The beginning of each season is the perfect time to have your energy balanced. Spend time in introspection. Create the life you want.

In spring the earth’s energies come alive. The recession of energy into the earth during winter begins to reverse and the earth brings forth new life and beauty.

As we are part of nature, the energy in our bodies begins to move up and outward during spring. This is the time to be more physically active and spend time outdoors. To support this activity, it is important to eat foods with upward energies. Green vegetables which are sprouting above ground, and a lighter diet will support the upward energies inside our bodies.

Spring is also the time of wind energy and gallbladder (GB) and liver (LV) energy. The liver meridian is very sensitive to the effects of wind energy. If you have an imbalance in GB or LV energy, you may experience symptoms of cramps, itching, spasms, dizziness, pain that comes and goes, pulsating headaches, and ringing in the ears.

Tips to promote health during spring.

• Eat foods that support and reduce the effects of internal wind (a Chinese Medicine term). In early spring, oats, prawns, pine nuts, ginger, fennel, carrot, beetroot, cabbage, and basil are recommended. Later in the spring, celery, strawberry, cherries, peppermint, sage, chamomile, and mulberry are good choices.
• Make sure you have a jacket or scarf in case of unpredictable weather changes. The body needs to protect against spring colds, especially if there is a compromised immune system. Again, it is important to support the LV and GB meridians at this time.
• The sour flavor in small amounts strengthens the liver. “It helps strengthen tendons, improve bladder control, excessive sweating, diarrhea, sagging skin, hemorrhoids, and prolapsed conditions.” Too much sour flavor will create imbalance between the organs. Some sour foods are lemon, limes, pickles, rose hips, and vinegar. If you suspect a liver imbalance already, it is best to be evaluated by an acupuncturist before following this protocol.
• “Foods that calm the liver will benefit everyone in spring.” Some examples are bay leaf, black sesame, celery, kelp, coconut milk, and scallions. These can be helpful if the liver energy is too strong. Liver energy which is too strong weakens the spleen which can cause vomiting, nausea, distension, and flatulence.

This time of year is known as the time of the water element. The energy pathways most active are the Bladder and Kidney Meridians. I’ve spoken about the Kidney Meridian and its importance the last few weeks. Today I want to focus on the Bladder Meridian.

The Bladder Meridian is the longest energy pathway in the body. It begins at the inside corner of the eye, goes over the head down the neck, back, the back of the legs, the side of the foot and ends at the small toe. This pathway is on both sides of our body and crosses all the other meridians; in doing so, it has influence on all the other meridians.

The Bladder Meridian partners with the Kidney Meridian, together they control fluid transformation and excretion in the body. The kidney stores our deepest levels of energy, and kidney issues can be treated using bladder acupoints.  Points on the Bladder Meridian are excellent for treating headaches, eye strain, back, knee, and ankle pain, and for promoting a sense of deep relaxation. Imbalance in the bladder energy can create emotions of suspicion, jealousy, and the inability to let go of grudges.

The back responds to stress by becoming tight. “In short back tension is putting your problems behind you. With chronic back pain or tension, whatever the cause, there are likely to be some powerful suppressed feelings. For example, after a back injury, there may be fear or anger about the pain or disability.”

……Iona Teeguarden, The Joy of Feeling

To support the Bladder Meridian, stay hydrated, do stretching exercises and rest. Having your energy balanced by a licensed acupressurist or acupuncturist can help release both chronic and acute tight muscles.